England: face coverings mandatory for clients from 8 August – with exemptions
From 8 August 2020, members of the public must wear a face covering in nail bars, hair and beauty salons and barbershops. If necessary, the client can remove their face mask for a treatment to be carried out. (But note that treatments on the face are not allowed in England until at least 15 August 2020.)
Exemptions include:
- Children under the age of 11 (Public Health England do not recommend face coverings for children under three).
- Not being able to put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment or disability.
- If putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause the person severe distress.
- If the person is travelling with or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading to communicate.
- To avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others.
- To avoid injury, or to escape a risk of harm, and the person does not have a face covering with them.
- To eat or drink if reasonably necessary.
- To take medication.
- If a police officer or other official asks the person to remove their face covering.
There are also situations when people are permitted to remove a face covering, including:
- If asked to do so by shop staff or relevant employees for identification, the purpose of assessing health recommendations, such as a pharmacist, or for age identification purposes including when buying age restricted products such as alcohol.
- If asked to do so by people who rely on lip reading, facial expressions and clear sound.
